A De Niro moment

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BEIJING -- Frederick Bousquet of France was asked if he was disappointed with a silver medal after the classic U.S. versus France duel in the pool in the men’s 400-meter freestyle relay on Monday morning.

He pointed to his face.

‘Are you talking to me?’ he asked. ‘Do you read an expression of disappointment. Come on, I’m vice-Olympic champion.’

Fred, it seemed, had left the reservation. OK, mark this as one truly surreal morning -- and after all the craziness here at the Water Cube, it now seemed like nighttime.

-- Lisa Dillman